This week provided another healthy dose of food news. From Dead Bob’s Too highly-anticipated opening to a shipping container Kahwa, to another themed coffee shop, local foodies are overwhelmed with options. This kind of expansion by both local and national coffee chains feels like a coffee shop turf war.
OPENINGS
3B’s The joint offers up burgers, bourbon and beer. In the true spirit of bar and grill culture, 3B’s consistently airs different types of sports games on its many TVs. 1500 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Suite A13, Clearwater. 3bsburger.com
A Slice of Rome The 'za purveyor offers up Roman-style pizza that guests can snag by the slice, half or full sheet. 53 Baymon, Clearwater Beach. slice-of-rome.com
Bahia Tacos Bahia boasts a unique blend of Colombian-Mexican cuisine and offers diners a variety of eats including tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and bowls. 808 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. bahiatacos.com
BombWich The specialty sandwich shop offers loaded sandos plus wrap, panini and salad options. When it comes to decor, think comic book sound effects with mural pops like "SMASH!" "POW!" and "KRUNCH" above booth seating and on tabletops. 2700 34th St. N., St. Petersburg. BombWich on Facebook.
Dead Bob’s Too The iconic St. Pete dive bar expanded across the bridge. Bob's Too is sticking with the tradition of staying open until 3 a.m. for the night owls or those who need to soak up some alcohol before they Uber home. 3681 S. West Shore Blvd., Tampa. deadbobsstpete.com
Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz Celebrity chef Robert Hesse, two-time competitor on Fox Network’s “Hell’s Kitchen” will park his new grilled cheese food truck in Flying Boat Brewing Co.’s parking lot and celebrate with giveaways and live entertainment. The chef’s full-service Fo’Cheezy brick-and-mortar (6305 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach) opens on National Grilled Cheese Day, April 12. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Flying Boat Brewing Co., 1776 11th Ave N., St. Petersburg. focheezy.com
Queen of Sheba The Ethiopian restaurant changed locations from South Tampa to Temple Terrace. Locals can still expect the same fat plates of dishes rooted in Ethiopian cuisine with the addition of brunch service. 11001 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace. ethiopianrestauranttampa.com
Whiskey Joe’s Manatee River The latest location of good vibes courtesy of Whiskey Joe’s is now open with prime views of Manatee River. Guests can either dine inside or lounge outside near fire pits. 5315 19th St. E., Ellenton. thewhiskeyjoes.com
COMING SOON
BallPark & Rec Ahead of its third season at Tropicana Field, BallPark & Rec is expanding into two-story full-service restaurant with multiple bars, TVs, along with indoor arcade games and outdoor lawn games. 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. hungerthirstgroup.com
Butter’s Burgers Looks like a burger and wing concept is gearing up to take over the former Anise Global Gastrobar space in downtown Tampa. More details to come as an opening date is announced. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. @buttersburgerstampa on Instagram.
Grand Hacienda The Mexican restaurant expanded with a new location at Tyrone Square Mall. Swing by to take advantage of the full bar before making boozy purchases late this month. 2424 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg. grandhaciendarestaurant.com/st-petersburg-restaurant
JahVa’s Coffee Lounge The pre-launch party for the reggae-oriented lounge is scheduled for April 19 and a follow-up bash happens on April 20 (4/20.) 6800 Gulfport Blvd. S., South Pasadena. jahvacoffeelounge.com
Kahwa The local coffee chain is opening a strictly offering drive-thru and walk-up service location made entirely of shipping containers. 6623 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. kahwacoffee.com
Par Bar A mini golf-themed bar comes to the Grand Central District this fall. Get your form ready. 2253 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. @parbarstp on Instagram.
Uptown Eats Dan Schmidt, managing partner at St. Pete’s Independent Bar, is opening the concept within the former Banyan Cafe space. Details to come when the menu and opening date is announced. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. @uptowneatsstpete on Instagram.
ICYMI
Chick-Fil-A Sauce Starting in April, you’ll be able to find 16 oz. bottles of Chick-fil-A’s Polynesian and Chick-fil-A sauces at Florida Publix, Target, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores.
Duckweed After pulling out of Seminole Heights, Duckweed Urban Grocery is now being sued by developer Wesley Burdett who’s "seeking back rent and alleging that the boutique grocer has no rights to terminate its lease." Locals can still slide by the Duck’s downtown Tampa shop at 803 N. Tampa St. and another at 117 N. 12th. St. in Channelside.
PDQ Donation Sales of PDQ chicken sandwiches helped raise $25,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay and a total of $65,000 for 15 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the nation.
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